New Jersey voters support same-sex marriage 53 - 42 percent, and support 67 - 27 percent, with
strong support from all groups, Gov. Christopher Christie's call for a voter referendum on the
issue, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters under 35 years old
support gay marriage 77 - 18 percent, as voters 35 to 54 years old support it 58 - 39 percent.
Voters over 55 are opposed 53 - 41 percent.

President Barack Obama's recent endorsement of same-sex marriage will not affect their
presidential vote, 64 percent of New Jersey voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-
pe-ack) University poll. His support for gay marriage will make them less likely to vote for
Obama, 19 percent say, while 16 percent say more likely.

New Jersey voters say by a small 48 - 44 percent margin that Gov. Christie did the wrong
thing vetoing same-sex marriage legislation. The State Legislature should override Christie's
veto, 48 percent of voters say, while 45 percent do not want an override.

"New Jersey voters approved of same-sex marriage before President Barack Obama
evolved, and they still do," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute. "That 4-1 support among young voters shows this is just a matter of time.

"New Jerseyans like Gov. Christopher Christie and are divided on whether his veto of the
same-sex marriage bill was right or wrong. And they're divided on whether the State Legislative
should override the veto.

"But voters overwhelmingly endorse Christie's idea of putting it up to a referendum.

"What was the political effect of President Obama's decision? Little or none."

New Jersey voters support 73 - 20 percent Gov. Christie's proposal to give private school
scholarships, funded by tax-deductible contributions, to allow students in troubled public schools
to attend private and parochial schools. Support is strong among all groups.

While they support Christie's scholarship plan, which uses private contributions, voters
oppose by a narrow 49 - 44 percent margin taxpayer-supported school vouchers for students in
private or religious schools.

Voters oppose 53 - 36 percent the expansion of charter schools. There is no support for
more charter schools from any group.

Tax Cut Plans

New Jersey voters support 54 - 32 percent Christie's plan for a 10 percent across-the-
board income tax cut. Support rises from 48 - 34 percent among voters making less than
$50,000 per year to 65 - 29 percent among voters making more than $250,000 per year.

By an even wider 59 - 23 percent margin, voters support State Senate President Stephen
Sweeney's proposal for a 10 percent property tax credit for households with an annual income of
under $250,000. All groups, even voters making more than $250,000, support the measure.

"Senate President Stephen Sweeney looks like he comes out ahead in Trenton horse-
trading, but Gov. Christie gets points for agreeing to compromise," Carroll said.

"The Gov says he'll make education, including that proposed scholarship plan for some
private and parochial school students, his budget-time priority. Voters endorse the scholarship
idea. They also support merit pay and re-writing teacher tenure rules."

From May 9 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,582 registered voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christopher Christie is handling the state budget?

TREND: In general, which tax plan do you think is better for New Jersey, an across-the-board income tax cut of 10 percent or a property tax credit of 10 percent for households earning less than $250,000?

34. As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with tax dollars. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New Jersey or not?

TREND: As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with tax dollars. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New Jersey or not?

35. Governor Christie wants the Legislature to pass a bill that would give private and parochial school scholarships to students in some troubled districts across the state. The scholarships would be funded by tax deductible donations from businesses and are considered budget neutral. Do you support or oppose this bill?

37. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: As you may know Governor Christie has vetoed a same-sex marriage bill passed by the state legislature. Do you think Governor Christie did the right thing or the wrong thing? (* "recently vetoed")

May 17 Mar 01
2012 2012
Right thing 44 48
Wrong thing 48 47
DK/NA 7 5

39. Do you think the New Jersey state legislature should vote to override Christie's veto or not?